Cost is usually the second question after “am I suitable?”. Here is a straight answer about what drives the price and why you should be cautious of any clinic quoting a firm figure before seeing you.
It is a self-funded procedure
Gastric balloon treatment is not generally covered by UAE health insurance. Insurers classify it as an elective weight-loss treatment rather than a medical necessity, so in almost all cases this is a cash procedure. It is better to know that upfront than to discover it later.
What actually moves the price
Which balloon
A swallowable capsule balloon uses different technology from a standard endoscopic balloon and is priced differently, because no endoscopy or sedation is needed to place or remove it. A 12-month balloon usually costs more than a 6-month one. Dr Ulucay’s own starting prices are AED 10,000 for the swallowable balloon, from AED 15,000 for a 6-month balloon and from AED 22,000 for a 12-month balloon. See the swallowable gastric balloon guide and price (AED 10,000).
What is included in the quote
This is where quotes stop being comparable. Ask specifically whether the price covers:
- The pre-procedure assessment and any endoscopy
- Removal at the end of the period (for endoscopic balloons)
- Dietitian and follow-up appointments throughout
- Medication for the first few days
- Management if a problem arises
A lower headline price with removal and follow-up billed separately can end up costing more than a higher all-inclusive one.
The facility
Procedures performed in a licensed day-surgery setting carry different costs from an outpatient clinic room. For balloon placement under sedation, the setting matters for safety reasons, not just price.
Why is the final price confirmed after the consultation?
Dr Ulucay publishes a starting price for each balloon type (see the price table below), but your own figure is confirmed in writing after the consultation, for two reasons. First, the appropriate balloon and period vary by patient, and suitability is decided at consultation. Second, part of the cost is set by the facility where the procedure takes place, not by the surgeon alone.
What we can commit to is competitive, transparent pricing and a clear written quote before you decide anything — with no obligation.
Worth considering alongside cost
A balloon is a one-off cost for a defined period. Weight-loss injections are an ongoing monthly cost for as long as you take them, and stopping usually means regaining. Surgery costs more upfront but is permanent. Which represents better value depends on your situation rather than the sticker price.
Gastric balloon types at a glance
| Balloon | How it is placed | Time in the stomach | How it comes out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-month balloon | Endoscopy, light sedation (about 20-30 min) | About 6 months | Endoscopic removal |
| 12-month balloon | Endoscopy, light sedation (about 20-30 min) | About 12 months | Endoscopic removal |
| Swallowable balloon | Swallowed capsule, awake, X-ray check (about 15 min) | About 16 weeks | Empties and passes naturally, no procedure |
Which balloon suits you depends on your BMI, goals and whether you want to avoid sedation. Dr Ulucay offers all three types and explains the trade-offs at consultation.
Dr Ulucay’s gastric balloon prices in Dubai
| Balloon | Price |
|---|---|
| 6-month balloon | from AED 15,000 |
| 12-month balloon | from AED 22,000 |
| Swallowable balloon | AED 10,000 |
Prices are for the balloon placement and are confirmed in writing after your consultation, once Dr Ulucay knows which balloon suits you. Removal of the 6-month and 12-month balloons is a separate endoscopic procedure and is charged separately; the swallowable balloon is designed to empty and pass naturally, so it normally needs no removal procedure. Ask for a full quote on WhatsApp.
What should you check when comparing gastric balloon prices in Dubai?
Published prices are not always for the same thing. Before comparing one clinic with another, ask each for a written quote that answers these questions:
- Is balloon removal included? For 6-month and 12-month balloons, removal is a second endoscopy. Some clinics include it, many (including Dr Ulucay) charge it separately.
- Are the endoscopy and sedation included? Check whether the anaesthetist and day-surgery facility fees are part of the price.
- Which tests are needed first? Blood tests or other checks before placement may be billed separately.
- What follow-up is included? Ask how many doctor and dietitian visits are covered, and for how long.
- Who answers if you feel unwell? Nausea and cramping are common in the first days; ask how you reach the doctor out of hours.
- Which balloon is it, and for how long? A 4-month swallowable balloon, a 6-month and a 12-month balloon are different treatments, so their prices are not directly comparable.
A gastric balloon is not suitable for everyone. Whether it suits you, and which type, is decided at consultation.
How much does a gastric balloon cost in Dubai? Other clinics’ published prices
Dr Ulucay’s own prices are above. For comparison, here is what other Dubai clinics publish on their own websites (checked September and October 2026):
| Balloon | Published price | What the clinic says the price includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6-month balloon | AED 15,000 | Ask the clinic what is included | weightlosssurgerydubai.com |
| 12-month balloon | AED 20,000 | Ask the clinic what is included | weightlosssurgerydubai.com |
| 6-month balloon | AED 18,000 – 22,000 | Ask the clinic what is included | novomed.com |
| 12-month balloon | AED 22,000 – 30,000 | Ask the clinic what is included | novomed.com |
| 6-month balloon | AED 12,000 (approximate) | Includes tests, doctor fees, routine medicines and 2 weeks of follow-up; balloon removal is excluded | drhc.ae |
| 12-month balloon | AED 15,000 (approximate) | Includes tests, doctor fees, routine medicines and 2 weeks of follow-up; balloon removal is excluded | drhc.ae |
| 12-month balloon | AED 14,500 | Balloon removal listed separately at AED 5,000; discharge medicines excluded | azhd.ae (Al Zahra Hospital Dubai) |
| 6- or 12-month balloon | AED 10,000 – 16,000 (guide range) | Clinic advises confirming the removal fee at the outset | allureweightloss.ae |
| Swallowable balloon | From AED 13,500 | Passes naturally, so no removal procedure; confirm what follow-up is included | allureweightloss.ae |
These are other clinics’ published prices, shown so you can compare like with like. Always ask what a quote includes: assessment, sedation, removal, and dietitian follow-up. Ask for a quote on WhatsApp.